Kolkata, 19 September (H.S.) : Kolkata and its adjoining southern districts are expected to witness scattered rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms until Sunday, according to the regional meteorological office. This wet spell will be followed by a brief two-day respite, during which hot, humid, and uncomfortable weather conditions are likely to return.

Meteorologists have forecast that most districts in South Bengal will experience light to moderate rain, with gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph, through Sunday. However, rainfall activity will significantly decrease on Monday and Tuesday, leading to sweltering and highly humid conditions both indoors and outdoors.

The weather is expected to shift again from Wednesday afternoon as a fresh spell of rain sweeps across South Bengal. Coastal districts, specifically Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas, have been put on alert for heavy showers. The intensity of the rain will peak on Thursday and is expected to continue until Friday afternoon. In Kolkata, light and brief localized showers may occur between Saturday and Wednesday, followed by a surge in rainfall starting Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, North Bengal will see a marked improvement in weather conditions starting Saturday. The meteorological department has not issued any major rain warnings for the northern districts from Saturday through Wednesday, though rainfall may resume in the Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Thursday.

While the monsoon retreat has begun in parts of the country, a new weather system is currently developing over the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that an upper-air cyclonic circulation, originating over northern Thailand, is advancing toward the North Andaman Sea.

Under its influence, a low-pressure area is highly likely to form over the region by Saturday evening. The system is expected to gradually intensify and move west-northwestwards toward the south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts over the subsequent three to four days. As a result, eastern and central India, with a special focus on Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, are bracing for an intensified bout of rainfall toward the latter half of September.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh